The Statement of Faith is taken from Dryden First Baptist Church's constitution.

Statement of Faith From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in clear, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our Church as guided by Scripture. Our Statement of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the Church from error. All who join Dryden First Baptist Church are required to affirm the Statement of Faith as presented here in Article IV. This statement is the revised New Hampshire Confession of Faith from 1853, adopted by the New Hampshire Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists as a clear and concise statement of their faith, in harmony with the doctrines of older confessions. This statement registers our belief in historic evangelical Christianity, believer’s baptism, and congregational polity. Once we as members agree to the statement, we are responsible for believing and living in accordance with it.What We BelieveOf the Scriptures (i)We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Samuel. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; (1)Psalm 119:11; Romans 3:1-22 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39 (2)Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17; Revelation 22:18-19; Romans 3:4 (3)Romans 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Corinthians 4:34; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48 (4)Philippians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:11 (5)1 John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; (6)Jude 3:5; Ephesians 6:17; Psalm 119:59-60; Philippians 1:9-11

Of the Fall of Man (iii)We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (1); but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (2); in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (3), not by constraint, but choice (4); being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (5), without defense or excuse (6).Genesis 1:27, 31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 16:26; Genesis 2:16 (1)Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12 (2)Romans 5:19; John 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:15-19; 8:7 (3)Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18 (4)Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15 (5)Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20; 3:19; Galatians 3:22 (6)

Of the Way of Salvation (iv)We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (1), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (2); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin (3); honoured the divine law by His personal obedience (4), and by His death made a full atonement for our sins (5); that having risen from the death, He is now enthroned in heaven (6); and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all- sufficient Saviour (7).Ephesians 2:5; Matthew 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Acts 15:11 (1)John 3:16; 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; 12:24 (2)Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:9, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:21 (3)Isaiah 42:21; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 3:21 (4)Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; (5)Hebrews 9:13-15Hebrews 1:8, 3; 8:1; Colossians 3:1-4 (6)Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18; 7:26; Psalm 89:19; Psalm 14 (7)

Of Justification (v)We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ (1) secures to such as believe in Him is Justification (2); that Justification includes the pardon of sin (3), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (4); that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood (5); by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (6); that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favour with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity (7).John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8 (1)Acts 13:39; Isaiah 3:11-12; Romans 8:1 (2)Romans 5:9; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:6; Acts 10:43 (3)Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Romans 5:21 (4)Romans 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Philippians 3:7-9 (5)Romans 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12 (6)Romans 5:1-3, 11; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8 (7)

Of the Freeness of Salvation (vi)We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel (1); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith (2); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel (3); which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (4).Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Luke 14:17 (1)Romans 16:26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17 (2)John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Romans 9:32; Proverbs 1:24; Acts 13:46 (3)John 3:19; Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (4)

Of Grace in Regeneration (vii)We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (1); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (2); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (3), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel (4); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (5).John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 1:14; Revelation 8:7-9; 21:27 (1)2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7 (2)John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 2:13 (3)1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:9-11 (4)Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 3:8-10; 7:20; (5)1 John 5:4, 18

Of Repentance and Faith (viii)We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (1); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (2), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (3); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour (4).Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:1 (1)John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31 (2)Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Romans 10:12-13; Psalm 51 (3)Romans 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Hebrews 4:14; Psalm 2:6; Hebrews 1:8; 8:25; 2 Timothy 1:12 (4)

Of Sanctification (x)We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness (1); that it is a progressive work (2); that it is begun in regeneration (3); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (4).1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 13:9; Ephesians 1:4 (1)Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Philippians 3:12-16 (2)John 2:29; Romans 8:5; John 3:6; Philippians 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14 (3)Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5; (4)Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18; 4:30

Of the Perseverance of Saints (xi)We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (1); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (2); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (3); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (4).John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18 (1)1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9 (2)Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalm 121:3; 91:11-12 (3)Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 4:4 (4)

Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel (xii)We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government (1); that it is holy, just, and good (2); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (3); to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church (4).Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:20; 4:15 (1)Romans 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Galatians 3:21; Psalm 119 (2)Romans 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44 (3)Romans 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 8:10; Jude 20-21; Hebrews 12:14; (4)Matthew 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:28

Of a Gospel Church (xiii)We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (1), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel (2); observing the ordinances of Christ (3); governed by His laws (4), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word (5); that its only scriptural officers are Bishops*, or Pastors, and Deacons (6), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.1 Corinthians 1:1-13; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 14:23; (1)3 John 9; 1 Timothy 3:5Acts 2:41-42; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (2)1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23; (3)Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 4:17Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thessalonians 4.2; 2 John 6; (4)Galatians 6:2; all the EpistlesEphesians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 12:14 (5)Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1 (6)Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (xiv)We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (1), into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost (2); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (3); that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord's Supper (4), in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (5); preceded always by solemn self-examination (6).Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; (1)Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:27-28 (2)Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16 (3)Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles (4)1 Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20 (5)1 Corinthians 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71 (6)Of the Christian Sabbath (xv)We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath (1); and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (2), by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private (3) and public (4); and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God (5).Acts 20:7; Genesis 2:3; Colossians 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1- 2 (1)Exodus 20:8; Revelation 1:10; Psalm 118:24 (2)Psalm 119:15 (3)Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Exodus 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2,3; (4)Psalm 26:8; 87:3Hebrews 4:3-11 (5)

Of Civil Government (xvi)We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (1); and that magistrates* are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured and obeyed (2); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (3) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (4).Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 16:18; 1 Samuel. 23:3; Exodus 18:23; Jeremiah 30:21 (1)Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:1-8 (2)Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20 (3)Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:16; Psalm 72:11; Psalm 2; Romans 14:9-13 (4) government leaders

Of the Righteous and the Wicked (xvii)We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (1); that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem (2); while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse (3); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (4).Mal. 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; Jeremiah 15:19;Acts 10:34- 35; (1)Romans 6:16Romans 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Romans 6:18, 22; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Proverbs 11:31; (2)1 Peter 4:17-181 John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; John 3:36; Isaiah 57:21; Psalm 10:4; Isa 55:6-7 (3)Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Proverbs 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; (4)John 12:25-26; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14Of the World to Come (xviii)We believe that the end of the world is approaching (1); that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven (2), and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution (3); that a solemn separation will then take place (4); that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (5); and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness (6).1 Peter 4:7; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 24:35; 1 John 2:17; (1)Matthew 28:20; 13:39-40; 2 Peter 3:3-13Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11 (2)Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; (3)2 Timothy 1:10; Acts 10:42Matthew 13:49, 37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-33 (4)Matthew 25:35-41; Revelation 22:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Peter 2:9; (5)Jude 7; Philippians 3:19; Romans 6:32; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Corinthians 4:18Romans 3:5-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Acts 17:31; (6)Romans 2:2-16; Revelation 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17 Italicized words in the above reference sections have been added to provide clarity and reflect language that is more commonly used today.